#Ardbeg #Islay #Shortie #Ardcore #ArdbegDay2022 #BlackMaltBarley

ARDBEG GEARS UP FOR A CELEBRATION AS THE DISTILLERY LAUNCHES ITS LATEST PUNK ROCK LIMITED EDITION: ARDCORE 

Never mind the barrels, it’s all about the black malt! Ardbeg invites its worldwide fandom to join them for their global Ardbeg Day 2022 celebrations.

Held annually on the final Saturday of Islay’s Festival of Music and Malt (Fèis Ìle), Ardbeg Day is a global celebration of all things Ardbeg. This year, the event falls on 4th June, with festivities set to take place at the Distillery, online, and at local events around the world. To celebrate the launch of their latest palate “punk-turing” Limited Edition, Ardcore, the Distillery is calling on their rabble-rousing mass of fans to rock up for the loudest event in the whisky calendar.

From Ardbeg, a Distillery with more ups and downs that a pogoing punk, comes Ardcore. Created with roasted black malt – an unconventional choice, and a first for Ardbeg – this spirit is all about what happens up front, centre-stage. Incinerated to hair-raising levels, the malt is what defines its distinctive profile. Described by Dr Bill Lumsden as tasting ‘like biting on a spiky ball’, this devilishly delicious dram is one for the ages.

Inspired by the devil-may-care attitude of Ardbeg’s fans, this dram is bottled for them. Ardcore also draws inspiration from Islay’s little-known punk past, celebrating the characters of ‘PUNK ELLEN’ – the alleged nickname for Islay’s main port, Port Ellen, in the 1970s.

Colin Gordon, Ardbeg’s Distillery Manager, said: “This year will be my first physical Ardbeg Day. We know not everybody can make it to Islay, so we’re delighted to be broadcasting all the day’s antics online too. Whether at the Distillery or at home, we hope lots of you rock up, punked out and ready to party come 4th June!”

Ardbeg’s Head of Distilling and Whisky Creation, Dr Bill Lumsden, said: “Ardcore is a dram that wears its heart on its sleeve – its black heart! Created with roasted black malt, burnt to hair-raising levels, this spirit is all about substance. Notes of charcoal and sweet smoke make for an in-your-face nose, while potent notes of aniseed and dark chocolate stamp this bottle out as one fit only for the most Ardcore of fans.” 

Ardcore will be available to buy from Ardbeg Embassies, whisky specialists, online retailers and from the Distillery Visitor Centre, RRP: £100 from 17^th May onwards. Ardbeg Day events will comply with local covid guidance, and numbers may be limited for the safety and enjoyment of all. For more news on Ardbeg Day 2022 and all things Ardbeg, smoky malt whisky fans can join the Ardbeg Committee at Ardbeg.com.

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Tasting notes

LIKE BITING ON A SPIKY BALL

Colour:             Pale, translucent gold

Aroma:            Spicy and savoury, Ardcore grips the senses, with waves of marmite, burnt toast, chicory charcoal and infused coffee grounds making for a mosh pit in the glass. Like a safety pin through the septum, a classic Ardbeg herbal top note is present, while swirling, smoky bonfire and molasses loiter backstage.

Taste:              A jaw dropping spicy and fiery mouthfeel leads to an explosion of rich, smoky flavours – cocoa powder, dark chocolate, peanut brittle toffee, smoked lime and a suggestion of soot and bonfire embers all pogo in unison on the palate. Amped up aniseed and malty biscuit elbow their way to the fore, “punk-turing” taste buds.

Finish:              In an altogether sweeter finish, long, lingering notes of treacle toffee, soot and smoke make for an anarchic, but delicious, aftertaste.

ABV:                Committee Release 50.1%
Main Release 46%

RRP: £100 

NOTES: 

Ardbeg:

Ardbeg prides itself on being The Ultimate Islay Malt Whisky. Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by connoisseurs around the world as the peatiest, smokiest and most complex of all the Islay malts. Despite its smokiness, Ardbeg is renowned for its delicious sweetness, a phenomenon that has affectionately become known as ‘the peaty paradox’. During the 1980s and 1990s, Ardbeg suffered from an uncertain future, and it was not until the brand was purchased by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 that the Distillery was saved from extinction. Since then, the Distillery has risen like a phoenix and today Ardbeg is well established as a niche, cult malt, with a passionate following.  

Ardbeg Committee:

The legacy of the whisky was safeguarded in 2000 by the formation of the Ardbeg Committee. The Committee is made up of thousands of Ardbeg followers worldwide who are keen to ensure that “the doors of Ardbeg never close again”. Today there are more than 100,000 members of the Ardbeg Committee in over 130 countries. Committee Members are regularly consulted on new bottlings and expressions and are offered exclusive Committee bottlings. Members also receive invitations to special gatherings, tastings and events. The Committee, chaired by Jackie Thomson, is free to join at Ardbeg.com.

Awards:

Ardbeg is the world’s most highly awarded smoky single malt whisky.  Since 2008, Ardbeg has won more than 50 gold and double gold medals in key whisky competitions.  Ardbeg was twice, been awarded ‘World’s Best Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards (2010, 2013).  At the 2014 Global Icons of Whisky Awards, Mickey Heads was voted ‘Distillery Manager of the Year’.  The following year, Ardbeg’s expressions took the top three spots in Whisky Advocate magazine’s review of the best single malt Scotch whiskies under US$100.  Meanwhile, both Ardbeg Corryvreckan and Ardbeg Uigeadail have been awarded gold medals at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Ardbeg 10 Years Old also won the Best Single Malt Scotch 10 Year Old at the International Whisky Competition 2019, while the Ardbeg Distillery won the Distillery of the Year 2019. In 2020, the International Whisky Competition awarded Ardbeg Corryvreckan first place for Best Single Malt Scotch, Best Single Malt Scotch (No Age Statement), Best cask Strength (Over 57% ABV), Best Peated Scotch and Best Islay Single Malt. Ardbeg Wee Beastie also earned first place for Best Single Malt Scotch Under 10 Year Old and The Ardbeg Distillery achieved another Distillery of the Year award. In 2021, Dr Bill Lumsden was awarded Master Distiller of the Year for the fifth time, and Ardbeg Uigeadail won World Whisky of the Year in the International Whisky Competition.

The Glenmorangie Company:

The Company is one of the most renowned and innovative distillers and marketers of Scotch whisky brands worldwide and is part of Moët Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. Headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, the Company produces Glenmorangie Single Highland Malt whisky and Ardbeg Single Islay Malt.

Responsible Drinking:

Ardbeg and The Glenmorangie Company advocate responsible drinking and suggest that drinkers savour Ardbeg whiskies in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption.

ABERLOUR CELEBRATES THE NATURAL ART OF WHISKY MAKING WITH THE LAUNCH OF NEW 14 YEAR OLD

Aberlour, the award-winning Speyside single malt, has launched Aberlour 14 Year Old, a new addition to the much-loved portfolio created with a focus on balancing the knowledge and understanding of the makers craft with a deep respect for the delicate flavours of the natural whisky process.    

The new release joins Aberlour 12 Year Old, Aberlour 16 Year Old and Aberlour 18 Year Old to complete the double cask matured range. In recognition of its quality, the new Aberlour 14 Year Old has picked up several awards even before its launch – winning a coveted Double Gold medal at the prestigious International Wine and Spirits Competition 2020, and a Gold medal at the International Spirits Challenge 2020.   

Aberlour drinkers know that the Aberlour range is famed for the quality of its carefully crafted double cask maturation, led by the expertise of its cask selection team. The new Aberlour 14 Year Old is no exception, but it also goes one step further to harmonise the depth of flavour from cask influence with the natural character from the local Aberlour terroir that imparts soft and gentle hints of blackcurrant and citrus to our new-make distillate.  

Produced in unique batches, Aberlour 14 Year Old captures the artistry and hands–on experience of its makers. The finest barley – now sourced sustainably from the local terroir – pure Birkenbush spring water, techniques and timings at Aberlour – guided by the vision of Master Distiller Graeme Cruikshank – are perfectly tuned to create the same blackcurrant character time and time again. The warehouse experts then hand–select the best aromatic Oloroso casks and a significant portion of first-fill American oak casks which enhance the recognisably rich flavour and provide a delicate complexity like no other single malt in the Aberlour aged range.  

The result is an incredibly balanced 14 Year Old with a sweet fruity taste, bringing together notes of ripe blackberries and aromatic spice, and a finish of creamy complexity from the higher proportion of first-fill American Oak casks.  

Graeme Cruickshank, Master Distiller at Aberlour commented:  

“We are proud of the meticulous attention to detail and teamwork that has gone into the creation of Aberlour 14 Year Old. It’s a true celebration and manifestation of the art of distilling, which we are extremely passionate about. When you visit Aberlour, there is always a lingering smell of blackcurrants in the air and that note is at the heart of every drop of whisky that runs out of our stills. The natural maturation process of our double cask maturing focuses this, adding a delicate extra level to the palate, and captures the complexity that our fans have come to know and love.”   

For more information visit www.aberlour.com 

Tobermory 24 Year Old

Matured in delicious Oloroso sherry casks before being bottled at 52.5% abv. Delectably sweet! This sherry bomb from our friends at Tobermory underwent a 24-year maturation which includes a finish in ex-Oloroso sherry casks before being bottled at 52.5% abv.

£320.00
BUY NOW

HAMISH SAYS

Our Easter Flavour Hunt continues this week with eight NEW Spicy & Sweet whiskies for the season. Our flavour of the month, this profile brings gingerbread, hot cross buns, mulled wine, cinnamon pastries along with sweet chilli flavours. A PERFECT TREAT this Easter, order now in time for the holiday weekend.

BROWSE THE NEW WHISKY

UNICON BOTTLINGS

OH-SO-ORANGE

Cask No. 12.64

We all got, in one way or another, the scent of orange; orange sherbet, orange grove, confit of orange filled with orange sorbet and boozy blood orange trifle next to maple syrup, candle wax and cinnamon coconut cookies.

DISCOVER MORE

WARMS THE COCKLES OF YOUR HEART

Cask No. 38.28

The aromas embraced chalk, minerals and limestone while white fish sizzled on a hot stove with a pot of sweet and sour sauce. The palate gave a huge burst of crunchy apple, juicy peach and soft nectarine with a fresh zing of mint and lime juice.

DISCOVER MORE

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

Caol Ila 11YO

From the fantastic Indie – Chorlton Whisky. This release is from Caol Ila Distillery. Bottled from a Hogshead. One of only 281 bottles available worldwide. Natural Colour and Unchillfiltered, Bottled at a cask strength of 60.4%. Bottled by Chorlton Whisky

Order NOW

Follow your nose towards a flavour-fuelled Easter adventure; we’re entertaining the senses with this captivating new collection of rare cask whiskies.

WHEN FRUIT AND CREAM COLLIDE

CASK NO. 88.24

CASK TYPE:  Refill ex-bourbon hogshead

AGE:  12 years

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Sweet, fruity & mellow

BOTTLE NOTE:  “Tangerines, cherries and mango fused with buttery croissants and banana bread while thick cream drizzled over rhubarb and apple crumble.”

LIGHT-HEARTED MEMORIES

CASK NO. 135.33

CASK TYPE:  1st fill ex-bourbon barrel

AGE:  9 years

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Juicy, oak & vanilla

BOTTLE NOTE:  “What a frightfully spiffing idea – we have tea on the lawn and play a game of croquet, ideally with Pimm’s in one hand and mallet in the other.”

PARIS IN THE SPRING

CASK NO. 5.79

CASK TYPE:  1st fill ex-bourbon barrel

AGE:  18 years

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Juicy, oak & vanilla

BOTTLE NOTE:  “We were transported to Montmartre in springtime. We sat outside a café with peppermint tea and a Biedermeier Torte as we watched the world go by.”

TABANCO TIME

CASK NO. N/A

CASK TYPES:  Oloroso & PX butts & hogsheads

AGE:  11 years

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Deep, rich & dried fruits

BOTTLE NOTE:  “Blended malt scotch whisky from PX and Oloroso sherry quarter casks, hogsheads and butts in Spanish & American oak.”

PUMPKIN RED APPLE SAUCE*

CASK NO. B6.2

CASK TYPE:  New oak barrel

AGE:  4 years

BOTTLE NOTE:  “A spicy pumpkin apple sauce with Red Delicious apples turned with water into cinnamon swirls and sweet dried apricots and papayas.”

*This is the Giving Spirit bottle for April; SMWS Canada will donate 100% of profits from sales to The Canadian-Ukraine Foundation.

AN ENGINE STARTER FOR COLD MORNINGS

CASK NO. 66.193

CASK TYPE:  1st fill ex-bourbon barrel

AGE:  7 years

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Lightly peated

BOTTLE NOTE:  “The palate starts your engine – pickled ginger, jalapenos, lime and tarry smoke. The nose evokes campfires, crashing waves and the steamie.”

LET US GO DUTCH

CASK NO. 29.284

CASK TYPE:  2nd fill ex-bourbon barrel

AGE:  10 years

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Heavily peated

BOTTLE NOTE:  “A heavily smoked Dutch spirit called Kummel as we needed ‘Dutch courage’ to take a sip but realized that this will not need a ‘Dutch auction!'”

CONTEST TIME!

Here’s your chance to win an SMWS hip flask (valued at $65CAD)! 

SMWS UK is working on a flask-related feature for an upcoming issue of Unfiltered magazine, and if you own a flask then they want to hear from you on the UK social media channels! 

Here’s how to enter:

1) Post a photo of yourself and your flask on Twitter, Instagram and/or Facebook tagging in the UK accounts (@SMWSUK on Twitter; @smws_uk on Instagram; and @thesmwsuk on Facebook); you can also use the hashtag #smwshipflask

2) In your caption tell us:

-your favourite drams and flavour profiles for hip flasks and why

-tell us about your favourite style of hip flask

That’s it! Contest closes on Friday, April 29th and membership must be in good standing to win. Full Terms and Conditions here.

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada
Suite 160
104 – 1240 Kensington Road NW
Calgary, AB  T2N 3P7
403-969-8225
curious@smws.ca
www.smws.ca

GlenAllachie
8 Year Old (2022)

New for 2022. Winning 92-points at the International Wine & Spirits Competition.

Matured in sherry and wine casks under the guidance of Master Blender Billy Walker, this first bottling delivers honey, butterscotch, almonds and a hint of peppermint. Glenallachie 8 Year Old Speyside single malt Scotch whisky. Matured in pedro ximenez and oloroso sherry Puncheons, virgin oak casks and red wine barriques selected by Master Blender Billy Walker. Silver Medal from the IWSC 2022 (International Wine & Spirits Competition).

NOSE: Heather honey, butterscotch and cinnamon, followed by waves of ginger, toasted almonds and mocha.

TASTE: Lashings of treacle, dried sultanas and butterscotch, with cinnamon, peppermint and honeycomb.

Glenallachie Distillery is a Speyside distillery sitting on the eastern edge of Ben Rinnes mountain where it is rather exposed to the elements and is often to be see sitting within the snowline. A modern building and its architect William Delmé-Evans created a distillery which is rather pleasing on the eye. Glenallachie was commissioned in 1967 with two stills which increased to four in 1989 in order to meet blenders ever increasing demand for Glenallachie malt whisky. Whilst official releases are few independent releases are more numerous with those from Signatory Vintage and Cadenheads proving popular.

Buy – GlenAllachie 8 Year Old (2022) >>

K&L Exclusive Stunner: Age-Stated, Single-Cask Islay
2006 Bunnahabhain 15 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Bourbon Barrel Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) (Pre-Arrival) ($109.99)
“… it truly delivers a unique and delicious experience you’re not getting anywhere else for this price.” — David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer

Right up there with Hart Brothers and Sovereign, Old Particular is one of our all-time favorite independent bottlers, and we’ve just secured another spectacular exclusive cask of Bunnahabhain from their cherished stocks. Some of our greatest bang-for-the-buck single barrels in recent years have come to us through this top-tier Islay distillery, and this 15 Year Old Ex-Bourbon Barrel is no exception. While many other Islay malts of a similar age are going for well north of $200 (or more), this unbeatable specimen is available for just over the century mark. Spirits buyer David Othenin-Girard notes, “I just love how something so elegant and subtle on the nose can translate to something so racy and bold on the palate … you’ll find this mysterious little Islay is hiding some serious chops behind that proof.” Bottled at cask strength, it’s tailor-made for a dash of water to release its panoply of flavor complexities, with an especially salty component that Islay fanatics are going to absolutely love. Once again, this cask yielded a miniscule quantity of bottles, so Bunnah fans should act quickly and lock in their supply before it disappears.

2006 Bunnahabhain 15 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Bourbon Barrel Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) (Pre-Arrival) ($109.99)

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: September 10, 2021

We had one of these 2006s about five years ago from Old Particular. At 10 years old for $60, it was a pretty screaming deal. Now, Islay—even this unpeated one—is simply on fire, so we’re very careful to make sure what we’re putting out are extremely good values. While I wish we could still sell this for $80 like we did the 12 Year a couple of years ago, the reality is that those were very undervalued, and while we sold 15- & 18-Year Bowmore a couple of years ago for $150, it’s now worth $500 a bottle two years later. This relatively modest increase doesn’t keep this Bunnah out of our range, as it truly delivers a unique and delicious experience you’re not getting anywhere else for this price. The color is pale straw. The nose is relatively restrained at first, and it definitely needs some air and water to open. Once you’ve let it breathe, expect a fabulous mélange of salted butter, crystal malt, pithy citrus peel, and sweet tarts. It’s not the most powerful nose, but it’s elegant and linear and very inviting (after water, of course). But wait for the palate on this one. Here it’s really starting to turn up—rich salted fudge, yellow pluots, bright lemon peel, and a vibrant minerality. I just love how something so elegant and subtle on the nose can translate to something so racy and bold on the palate. Of course, the salty side is a favorite of mine as well. This will be a bit of a sleeper and might not be the best choice for those looking for big bold flavors, but if you’re a slow sipper that loves to take their time and let a whisky unravel, you’ll find this mysterious little Islay is hiding some serious chops behind that proof.

Lux Row Distillers Announces Arrival of Blood Oath Pact 8 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Latest offering from master distiller John Rempe features bourbon finished in Calvados casks

ST. LOUIS (April 5, 2022) – Lux Row master distiller John Rempe continues his annual pact with bourbon drinkers with the release of Blood Oath Pact 8 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished in Calvados casks. A limited supply of 17,000 (3-pack) cases will arrive at retail this April at a suggested price of $119.99 per 750 ml bottle.

Blood Oath Pact 8 features a combination of the finest bourbons Rempe could find, including a 14-year ryed bourbon and an 11-year ryed bourbon, as well as an 8-year ryed bourbon finished in Calvados casks. Calvados is an apple or pear brandy from the Normandy region in northwestern France that is distilled from cider and aged for a minimum of two years in oak casks. These casks impart their unique aroma and flavor to make Blood Oath Pact 8 a one-of-a-kind pour.

Like with previous pacts, Rempe promises to make the best bourbon for the bourbon connoisseur, and as usual, he promises to never disclose the origin of the bourbons used to create Blood Oath Pact 8. 

“I’ve once again sourced three great bourbons for Blood Oath Pact 8, and I’m particularly excited to include a bourbon finished in Calvados casks,” said Rempe. “The Calvados cask will bring additional tasting notes characterized by slight apple on the nose, with hints of vanilla and cinnamon, as well as flavor notes of ripe apples, juicy pears, butterscotch and even subtle hints of chocolate. Blood Oath Pact 8 is a bourbon I’m proud to share with bourbon lovers, but the recipe is a secret I’ll be keeping to myself.”

Blood Oath Pact 8 features a label similar to its series predecessors, but in a rich green hue to signify apples and pears, which are used to make Calvados brandy. The official launch of Blood Oath Pact 8 will include a total allocation of 51,00 bottles, 1,400 of which will be held for a future Trilogy Pack release. The first Trilogy Pack, featuring Pacts 1, 2 and 3, was released in 2018, and the second Trilogy Pack, featuring Pacts 4, 5 and 6, was released last September in conjunction with National Bourbon Heritage Month.

About Luxco

Founded in St. Louis in 1958 by the Lux Family, Luxco is a leading producer, supplier, importer and bottler of beverage alcohol products. Our mission is to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of consumers, associates and business partners. Merged with MGP Ingredients, Inc. in 2021 (Nasdaq: MGPI), Luxco operates as MGP’s Brands Division and manages all MGP/Luxco brands. This extensive and award-winning spirits portfolio includes well-known brands from five distilleries: Bardstown, Kentucky-based Lux Row Distillers, home of Ezra Brooks, Rebel, Blood Oath, David Nicholson and Daviess County; Lebanon, Kentucky-based Limestone Branch Distillery, maker of Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Minor Case Straight Rye Whiskey and Bowling & Burch Gin; Jalisco, Mexico-based Destiladora González Lux, producer of 100% agave tequilas, El Mayor, Exotico and Dos Primos; Ross & Squibb Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, where the George Remus Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Rossville Union Straight Rye Whiskey are produced; and the Washington, D.C.-based Green Hat Distillery, producer of the Green Hat family of gins. The innovative and high-quality brand portfolio also includes Everclear Grain Alcohol, Pearl Vodka, Saint Brendan’s Irish Cream, The Quiet Man Irish Whiskey and other well-recognized brands. For more information about the company and its brands, visit luxco.com.